I am with you on this. Also have to factor in the improvements the division has made. The progression of teams like the Rangers. With that said after we lost Tavares I didn’t expect this team to do squat.

We really need one of Wahlstrom or bellows to excel. Romanov to have a career year. While keeping a healthy lineup because we really have no depth. It would have to be an all the stars in line kind of situation imo. Possible but certainly not the way you want to go into a season imo.
- Cptmjl

There’s no doubt we need the younger guys to step up and contribute more. But that same statement can be made for the other teams in our division too. And the majority of the teams in our division have also added players that make them better. Still time for Lou to do something, I guess.

A lot of this points to why Lou felt Trotz might have lost the team a bit. I am always hopeful before the season but if they start as poorly as they did last year I will agree.... we had a lot of guys who played terrible for the first couple of months. Varly, Chara, Palms, and a bunch of others were just terrible. Hopefully they figure it out.
- niteislander

I guess that’s part of my point. They were still basically.500 Jan 1st after the road trip and covid. They just never put anything together and remained .500 the duration of the season.

There’s no doubt we need the younger guys to step up and contribute more. But that same statement can be made for the other teams in our division too. And the majority of the teams in our division have also added players that make them better. Still time for Lou to do something, I guess.
- streaks

He may do something. Outside of tarasenko I’m not sure what’s out there? Not sure what St Louis would be looking for but at this point trading next years first would be foolish imo. If we managed to sign one of the UFA’s I would’ve said go for it. Trade the pick with top 10 protection but the way our roster looks now I say hold onto what we have and hope for the best. We don’t have enough assets to scrape together to get what we need to make the moves necessary to really compete imo. Who knows maybe the team surprises again. I would love to be wrong.

There’s no doubt we need the younger guys to step up and contribute more. But that same statement can be made for the other teams in our division too. And the majority of the teams in our division have also added players that make them better. Still time for Lou to do something, I guess.
- streaks

KADRI out, sounds like Miller is staying per Canuck coach, I’ll throw this out there one last time as a cheap fix, Chandler Stephenson.

He was stripped of the 1st line when Eichel arrived, he has some game. The only hang up is LV wants Varlamov

Today is the day. It's Friday, only 2 weeks left of summer. Lou needs the next 2 weeks to relax from all his hard work , before the season starts.

https://twitter.com/NHLNe...tatus/1560612547048382464

And here I was thinking it was so easy to clear cap space

https://twitter.com/NHLNetwork/status/1560612547048382464

And here I was thinking it was so easy to clear cap space
- eichiefs9

So we are supposed to believe that all the people who said we were signing Kadri... who were obviously wrong.. but we should believe their reason of "can't clear cap space".. got it.

Flames just cleared 6 million in cap space trading Monahan..who has not been able to play for 2 years b/c of injuries. it cost them a very conditional first round pick ..

the point? you can clear cap if you need to

If you have time u can read all the conditions.. https://www.nhl.com/canad...n-from-flames/c-335312254

I guess that’s part of my point. They were still basically.500 Jan 1st after the road trip and covid. They just never put anything together and remained .500 the duration of the season.
- streaks

yeah.. just didn't have the same response last year when they needed it.

https://twitter.com/NHLNetwork/status/1560612547048382464

And here I was thinking it was so easy to clear cap space
- eichiefs9

Drop of a dime

So we are supposed to believe that all the people who said we were signing Kadri... who were obviously wrong.. but we should believe their reason of "can't clear cap space".. got it.

Flames just cleared 6 million in cap space trading Monahan..who has not been able to play for 2 years b/c of injuries. it cost them a very conditional first round pick ..

the point? you can clear cap if you need to

If you have time u can read all the conditions.. https://www.nhl.com/canad...n-from-flames/c-335312254
- niteislander

Well yea, you can do pretty much anything in life if you pay a premium for it. The Islanders can't afford to do that after not drafting in the first round for the last three years

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t

Looks like Carey Price is out indefinitely........in fact, his career could be over.

Well yea, you can do pretty much anything in life if you pay a premium for it. The Islanders can't afford to do that after not drafting in the first round for the last three years
- eichiefs9

Lose hard for Bedard!

Lose hard for Bedard!
- JohnScammo

Well they're definitely not bad enough for that, unless the whole team has a big gay orgy and ends up with monkeypox

Well they're definitely not bad enough for that, unless the whole team has a big gay orgy and ends up with monkeypox
- eichiefs9

Have to think the goalie and defense will get the Isles enough points to not be in the running for the #1.

Well yea, you can do pretty much anything in life if you pay a premium for it. The Islanders can't afford to do that after not drafting in the first round for the last three years
- eichiefs9

This is the issue. Isles cannot give up another #1 pick to move salary.

Well they're definitely not bad enough for that, unless the whole team has a big gay orgy and ends up with monkeypox
- eichiefs9

Alas, the team could be destined for mediocrity.......hockey purgatory. I'd rather they were either really good or really bad.

Alas, the team could be destined for mediocrity.......hockey purgatory. I'd rather they were either really good or really bad.
- JohnScammo

This is true John. Islanders should not be bad but will they be good enough to compete for a Cup? It's not looking like it on 8/19. Things can change of course.

Alas, the team could be destined for mediocrity.......hockey purgatory. I'd rather they were either really good or really bad.
- JohnScammo

Ah yes....Minnesota Wild Syndrome

Ah yes....Minnesota Wild Syndrome
- eichiefs9

On the bright side, Dobson might be signed for a long ass while.

Alas, the team could be destined for mediocrity.......hockey purgatory. I'd rather they were either really good or really bad.
- JohnScammo

Nah. If they poop the bed two years in a row, then changes will be a coming.

Frankly, I don’t blame the organization if they wanna gamble on this squad one more time. They've earned that trust.

If it falls apart early, then sell the house.

Alas, the team could be destined for mediocrity.......hockey purgatory. I'd rather they were either really good or really bad.
- JohnScammo

Been preaching the same.

Nah. If they poop the bed two years in a row, then changes will be a coming.

Frankly, I don’t blame the organization if they wanna gamble on this squad one more time. They've earned that trust.

If it falls apart early, then sell the house.
- Wildschwein

Problem is it could be tough to move these contracts. I think it’s smart not to move the #1 or someone like Raty. Might as well sit tight and find about Wally and Salo and maybe Raty later in the season. Maybe Bailey can be moved next offseason?

Problem is it could be tough to move these contracts. I think it’s smart not to move the #1 or someone like Raty. Might as well sit tight and find about Wally and Salo and maybe Raty later in the season. Maybe Bailey can be moved next offseason?
- ses111

Some of them yes, some of them no.

Varly could be dealt at the deadline as a rental. And if picks were wanted in return, I can’t see the Islanders having any difficulty moving Beauvillier, Nelson and Pageau.

Personally I’d just as soon not ever trade Pelech or Pulock, but both would garner excellent returns.

I’m not at all worried in regards to regaining assets in a retool. Especially as retooling around a young core of Barzal, Sorokin, Dobson, Wahlstrom, Romanov and Räty would likely result in a somewhat swift turnaround. Perhaps swifter still if the Islanders kept Pelech and Pulock.

That’s just my opinion of course.

Just wondering if you guys thought that the Islanders were ever actually serious about Kadri.

Just an Eklund/internet rumour, or did they actually kick tires?

Thanks in advance.

Some of them yes, some of them no.

Varly could be dealt at the deadline as a rental. And if picks were wanted in return, I can’t see the Islanders having any difficulty moving Beauvillier, Nelson and Pageau.

Personally I’d just as soon not ever trade Pelech or Pulock, but both would garner excellent returns.

I’m not at all worried in regards to regaining assets in a retool. Especially as retooling around a young core of Barzal, Sorokin, Dobson, Wahlstrom, Romanov and Räty would likely result in a somewhat swift turnaround. Perhaps swifter still if the Islanders kept Pelech and Pulock.

That’s just my opinion of course.
- Wildschwein

Varly can be moved probably not Palms. I also would not move Pelech or Pulock. It's just a big year to find out about some of the young players at the very least. I think it will be very critical to be quick on the benching of young players like in the past.